Transport for London (TfL) is developing proposals for the A406 North Circular Road between Golders Green and Falloden Way. The information published here is from a public exhibition held in September 2002.

BACKGROUND

Over 30 years ago it was proposed to build an underpass for the North Circular Road at Henlys Corner. This proposal has now been dropped. The Mayor of London formally abandoned the proposals in his Transport Strategy published in July 2001. Instead, the emphasis is now on:

• Improvements for cyclists and pedestrians
• Improved safety
• Improved reliability of journeys by public transport
• Improved local environment

ACCIDENTS

Safety is an important element of the proposals. During the 3 years to October 2001 there were 140 accidents over this stretch of road at an average cost of £67,360 per accident.

• 36 at the Golders Green Road / A406 / Brent Street junction
• 50 at the Regents Park Road / A406 / Finchley Road junction
• 24 at the A406 / Falloden Way junction
• and 30 at other places between Golders Green Road and Falloden Way

KEY FEATURES OF THE NEW PROPOSALS

• Install pedestrian crossings on all arms of existing junctions
• Improve existing cycle track on A406 south side
• New retaining wall at rear of Woodlands
• Separate right turn stages at the major junctions to reduce the number of accidents where traffic turning right collides with traffic going straight on
• Improved street lighting
• Anti-skid surfacing for all approaches to the signal controlled junctions
• New road signs and markings
• New traffic controlled junction for Charter Way and Regents Park Road located to the south of the 'naked lady' statue
• Improved landscaping
• Closure of direct access to Courtleigh Gardens from the North Circular
• No left turn into Bridge Lane from the North Circular
• Remove bridge across the North Circular at junction with Golders Green Road
• Traffic light cycle times of 88 or 108 seconds are being considered

TIMETABLE & COSTS

Given that proposals have been under discussion for over 30 years any dates have to be taken with a pinch of salt. However there does seem to be more momentum behind the current scheme. Detailed planning is already underway and the target is for work to start around Summer 2003 if funding is approved. It is expected to take between 4 and 6 months to complete. The deadline for feedback on the proposals was 31 October 2002.
Costs will be in the region of £5m.

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